Hey everyone,

I’m thinking about upgrading my W212 (I have a w212 wagon) to 20" Japan Racing JR20 rims and I’m trying to nail down the right stance and suspension setup to match the look I want.

Here’s the style I’m aiming for:



Current setup:

• Standard springs in the front
  
• Standard air suspension in the back
  
• Target wheels: Japan Racing JR20 – 20"
  

A few questions I’m hoping this community can help with:

How much should I lower the car to acquire the look above?

To get that flush/stance look with 20" JR20s:

• Front drop: How many mm have people run?
  
• Rear drop (with air): Any recommendations for ride height front vs. back?
  
• Should the rear sit higher, lower, or even with the front?
  

Fitment & Wheel Specs

If you’ve run JR20s on a W212:

• Wheel width + offset: What specs worked best?
  
• Any spacers needed? (Thickness/brand recommendations)
  
• Camber/rolling: Did you need camber arms or fender rolling to avoid rub
  

Ride Quality Thoughts

• How does the ride feel with 20" JR20s + springs up front and air in back?
  
• Any weird quirks (bump steer, harshness, bump stops)?
  

Alignment

• Alignment numbers you recommend with this setup?
  
• Any tips for keeping the tires happy & even wear?
  

Would love to see pics of your rides, especially if you’ve got a similar look to what I’m going for. Thanks in advance.

I can post a picture of how the car looks right now at standard susp-.

 

20" is a bad choice.
Unless you willing to bend the wheel fast and loose more ride comfort.
At 18" and 245 width and 40 AR being standard size for W212 front, that is only 10cm ( 3.9 inch ) of tire wall height.
I bent bad 3 wheels already at 18", but me in Indonesia and not USA.

Looking good does not mean rides good.

If this is a 2nd car for weekends only and not your daily, I guess its OK for your happy heart.

 

Here's my E300 with Vorsteiner VFF 102s
20x9 ET35 Front (245/35/20)
20x10 ET42 Rear (275/30/20)

This set was specifically for the W212 and is flush all around, I've only had the car for less than a month but it rides great, I used to drive a Chrysler 300 and even with that having 20s and 45 series tires the E still feels a lot more comfortable, it does rub when I go too fast down a hill

 

Nice setup.
Are you running stock suspension? Do you have air susp. on the back wheels?
I think Im going for:
20x8.5 ET28 (front) /245/35-20 95(Y)
20x10 ET30 (back) /275/30-20 97Y
Think it will be too much?

 

Yeah all stock sport suspension/ no bags, looking to get some stiffer struts if that can remove the rub I mentioned. Go for it! I'm really surprised it rides so well despite the low profile tires.

 

a) my mercedes mechanic put 20"s on his E63, cracked the rim in the first half hour of driving. No happy camper. returned to 19s.
b) my 19s have 35 profile fronts, I can not put 40 profile on the fronts. I am cautious if you can fit 245/35-20s in your front well. idk. stock suspension, coils.

 

Hey welcome to the wagon club! Couple things to unpack here.

- The photos shown, to achieve that ride hight on a 20 inch wheel, I have to assume the car is bagged and aired out in these photos, or else has a massive drop and rides like poop. Based on the tire sizes you provided you will probably raise the vehicle a bit and then have to compensate more for that

Anyhoo, on to your questions.

How much should I lower the car to acquire the look above?

To get that flush/stance look with 20" JR20s:

• Front drop: How many mm have people run? - I would imagine you need two plus inches down, maybe more. Being that you are a wagon, you have less options than the sedan guys. Any 4Matic sedan coilover will work up front, I am running the KW V3s, which are probably overkill, but I got a deal I couldn't pass up. https://www.kwsuspensions.com/produc...-35225069.html
• Rear drop (with air): Any recommendations for ride height front vs. back? I am running ghost lowering links, any brand will do since they just trick the system into lowering itself. Harder part here is shocks. Only real options are direct replacments, since the sedan shocks are several inches longer than the wagons. Only real "performance": or heavy duty option would be Bilstein B6 BIL-24-191128 (thats what I am sunning and couldnt be happier). Youll need to also buy a new upper mount and bumpstop, which they technically dont sell for 350 wagon, but here is a part number that works.
  
• Should the rear sit higher, lower, or even with the front? - Personal preference.

Fitment & Wheel Specs

If you’ve run JR20s on a W212: - Dont have these wheels, but offset and fitment are not brand specific.

• Wheel width + offset: What specs worked best? -
• Any spacers needed? (Thickness/brand recommendations) - shouldnt be needed if you buy the correct offsets for your fitment liking.
• Camber/rolling: Did you need camber arms or fender rolling to avoid rub. Lowerig a wagon will severely alter the alighment and I highly recommend the KMAC bushing/alignment rear kit. Yes, it can be done at home, but I would pay a shop top do it and then get a proper alignment after. Depending on how low you go in the front and how good the alignment shop is, you may be able to get back into spec without additional parts.

Ride Quality Thoughts

• How does the ride feel with 20" JR20s + springs up front and air in back? - Dont just buying lowering springs, you wont be happy (trust me). Cry once, buy once and get what you should have.
• Any weird quirks (bump steer, harshness, bump stops)? proper shocks, bumpstops and alignment should keep everything in check.

Alignment

• Alignment numbers you recommend with this setup?
• Any tips for keeping the tires happy & even wear? - Proper alignment.

Here is my wagon, lowered between 1.75 and 2 inches, on stock 245/40/18 tires (equates to 245/30/20 in overall diameter. Just ordered a set of fifteen52 Holeshot RSRs in 19x8.5 19x9.5 and will be running 245/35/19 and 285/30/19 tires. Will post photos once I get around to mounting tires.